Now that the Supremes have agreed to weigh in on Oregon's "Death with Dignity" law allowing physician-assisted suicide (story here), Norm Pattis airs his opinion.

Pattis asks, "How did the federal government stick its nose under this tent flap?" He writes:

"The feds are pressing an interpretation of the federal Controlled Substances Act that limits the use of such substances to 'legitimate medical purpose.' Doctors who help terminally ill patients die violate that act, saith Uncle Sam. Except, of course, when the government wants to kill someone, in which case it is all right. Side note: Do death row inmates have a right to die? Read "A Devil's Advocate to Test Right to Die."

"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."